Circumferential matrix system

ABSTRACT

A circumferential matrix system having a matrix band is described herein. The circumferential matrix system can be tightened around a tooth without the need or use of a retaining ring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a circumferential matrix band system for use inrestoring a tooth.

BACKGROUND

Circumferential matrix bands and the use of matrix bands are well knownand widely utilized in restorative dentistry. One problem withcircumferential bands in the prior art is that circumferential bandsrequire tensioners that are removed once tightened or are left in placeduring the restoration procedure to retain the tension on the matrixband. In both cases, the restoration procedure is restricted by thepresence of the tensioning device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,793 discloses a dental matrix band used during toothrestoration procedures. The matrix bands have a smooth interior sidewhich is placed in contact with the tooth requiring restoration. On theexternal surface is a frictional engagement surface which is at least aportion of its surface that is configured to provide increased friction.Such a matrix band is placed around a tooth to be restored with thefrictional engagement surface facing the embrasure or space between theteeth. A dental wedge can then be inserted into the embrasure againstthe frictional engagement surface to hold the dental matrix bandstationary with respect to the tooth being restored. The frictionalengagement surface is sufficiently rough that dental wedges are muchless likely to slip out of an embrasure once positioned against thefrictional engagement surface, thereby ensuring that a matrix band willbe securely held in place by a dental wedge to enable the practitionerto confidently proceed with the restoration. The matrix bands may beformed from opaque materials such as stainless steel or from materialswhich are at least translucent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,475 discloses a dental matrix tensioner has a casingcontaining a pin rotatable relative to the casing, the pin having a slottherein for releasably receiving a dental matrix and for tightening thematrix about a tooth upon rotation of the pin relative to the casing. Adevice to rotate the pin relative to the casing comprises an elongatedassembly, and a member slidable lengthwise of the assembly in onedirection to grip external portions of the casing and in an oppositedirection to release those external portions of casing therebyselectively releasably to retain the rotating device in assembledrelation with the casing. The lengthwise slidable member is alsorotatable and is selectively engageable with the pin to rotate the pinupon rotation of the slidable member. The slidable and rotatable memberhas a noncircular end which fits removably in a noncircular recess inthe pin whereupon when that end is inserted in the noncircular recessand sliding member is rotated, the pin is turned relative to the casing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,275 discloses a flexible spindle suitable fortransmitting a torque as well as an axial thrust is constituted by aplurality of helical spirals of wire all of the same length. Each spiralhas opposite winding directions to the winding direction of the adjacentspirals and the outer diameter of each spiral is equal to the innerdiameter of the spiral which surrounds it. The terminal ends of thespirals are assembled integrally with each other and with the terminalends of a flexible member situated inside the innermost spiral. Eachspiral has a length which is equal to that of the other spirals asmeasured along their axis when these are in their bent operatingposition and under those conditions under which they are designed totransmit torque and thrust, with the flexible spindle resulting not tobe radially or longitudinally deformable when under stress, thustransmitting the forces without loss.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,045 discloses a dental matrix retainer packageincludes a plastic matrix retainer clamp which permits a matrix band tobe unlocked from its tightened position over a tooth without releasingthe matrix band from the clamp entirely, permits a matrix band to beswiveled to accommodate different mouth quadrants with removal forreorientation, permits rapid retraction of a matrix band from a tooth,and permits careful tightening of a matrix band over a tooth in order toavoid the possibility of overtightening. The package is designed so thatit must be entirely disposed of after use on a patient, therebyproviding maximum assurance against cross contamination.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,732 discloses a dental matrix clamp that includes anelongate body and a matrix band mountable relative to the body so as toform a loop projecting at one end of the body. The clamp has atensioning device operable on the band to tighten the loop, and adeflector member which engages the band to provide an inclinedconformation thereto. The deflector member is adjustable transverselyacross the band between opposite positions at which it bears againstopposite peripheral portions of the band. The clamp is a hand-helddevice used in dentistry to clamp a band around a tooth for retentionand molding of filling material.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, disclosed is a circumferential matrix system, having amatrix band, a body having a handle, a housing and a base, a spindlewithin the body being attached to the handle. One end of the matrix bandis permanently affixed to the spindle and the other end of the matrixband is also permanently affixed to the inside wall of the housing.

The circumferential matrix system disclosed herein has many benefitsover matrix systems already in the field. For example, thecircumferential matrix system disclosed herein is compact such that theentire system can fit in a patient's mouth, does not require anapplicator, and includes a locking device that allows tightening,loosening and tactile feedback to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 demonstrates the circumferential matrix system disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a partially exploded view of the circumferentialmatrix system disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 demonstrates the internal placement of the matrix band within thecircumferential matrix system disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the matrix band prior to being formed into thecircumferential matrix system disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the circumferential matrix system disclosed hereinfrom the bottom view where the movement of housing is shown.

FIG. 6 demonstrates the circumferential matrix system disclosed hereinfrom the top view where the movement of housing is shown.

FIG. 7 demonstrates another embodiment of the circumferential matrixsystem disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 demonstrates yet another embodiment of the circumferential matrixsystem disclosed herein demonstrating the directional rotation of thehandle.

FIG. 9A demonstrates a band contour having a single radius curvature.

FIG. 9B demonstrates a band curvature having a single spline curvaturewith a straight line.

FIG. 9C demonstrates another band curvature having a different singlespline curvature than that of FIG. 9B with a straight line.

FIG. 10A demonstrates the internal placement of the matrix band withinone embodiment of the circumferential matrix system disclosed herein.

FIG. 10B demonstrates the internal construction of the housing of oneembodiment of the circumferential matrix system disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 demonstrates the matrix band prior to being formed into oneembodiment of the circumferential matrix system disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the circumferential matrix system described herein prior touse. The matrix band 10 can be made of the same material as any knownconventional matrix band. This matrix band 10 may be uncoated or coatedwith any suitable material, such as Teflon® or an antibacterial materiallike that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,747,831 which is incorporated byreference herein. In embodiments, this matrix band 10 may be contouredas for example shown in FIG. 1 to somewhat correspond to the generalanatomical shape of a tooth.

The body 14 of the circumferential matrix system 1 disclosed hereinincludes a handle 12, housing 16, and base 18. The handle 12 of the bodymaybe is turned in order to wind the matrix band 10 tighter when placedaround a tooth. This motion is better shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thehousing 16 and base 18 of the body have a general tear drop shape inorder to be better placed against the tooth of a patient. Once thematrix band 10 is tightened around the tooth, a retaining ring isgenerally not need to hold the matrix band in place. However, aretaining ring (not shown) may be necessary in order to provide spacingbetween the tooth being worked on and an adjacent tooth.

FIG. 7 demonstrates another embodiment of the circumferential matrixsystem disclosed herein. In the matrix system 200 of FIG. 7 the housing116 does not include a base. Specifically, the housing 116 of the matrixsystem 200 is formed more as a clam shell like structure as demonstratedin FIG. 10B where heat stakes 100 are used to enclose the matrix band 10within the house 116 of the circumferential matrix system 200. The heatstakes 100 of the embodiment are made from a male portion 100 a and afemale portion 100 b. As demonstrated by FIGS. 7 and 8, the heat stakes100 can be placed in a suitable formation on the housing 116 so long asthe housing 116 is properly closed and does not interfere with theplacement of the matrix band 10 therein.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a partially exploded view of the body 14 of thecircumferential matrix system 1. The housing includes tabs 20 that affixinto an aperture 24 of the base 18 such that the body of thecircumferential matrix system 1 is formed. As can be seen in FIG. 2, thehandle 12 includes grips 34 to assist a user in tightening the matrixband 10 around a tooth. When the handle 12 is wound, the spindle 22within the housing actuates the tightening of the matrix band 10. Asseen in FIG. 3, the matrix band 10 is attached to the spindle 22 atlocation 32. When the spindle 22 is wound by the user, the matrix band10 is also wound around the spindle 22 inside the body 14, therebytightening the matrix band around the tooth. The other end of the matrixband 10 is molded 30 into the housing as shown in FIG. 3. Because thisend of the matrix band 10 is not movable, the matrix band 10 can bewound about the spindle 22.

FIG. 4 demonstrates how the matrix band 10 is attached to the spindle 22and molded into the housing 16. The spindle 22 of FIG. 4 is then placedinside the housing 16 as shown in FIG. 3 so that circumferential matrixsystem 1 can be generally formed. Similar to FIG. 4, FIG. 11demonstrates how the matrix band 10 is attached to the spindle 22 andmolded into the housing 116. The spindle 22 of FIG. 11 is then placedinside the housing 116 as shown in FIG. 10B so that the circumferentialmatrix system 200 can be general formed.

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the matrix band 10 may be formed in avariety geometries so long as the geometry conforms to a tooth of thepatient. For example, FIG. 9A demonstrates a matrix band 10 that has asingle radius curvature 118 along the longitudinal direction 119 a ofthe matrix band 10. In contrast, FIG. 9B demonstrates a matrix band 10having a single spline curvature 120 a at one point and a straight line120 b along the longitudinal direction 119 b of the matrix band 10.Similar to FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C demonstrates another matrix band embodimenthaving a single spline curvature 130 a at one point and a straight line130 b along the longitudinal direction 119 c of the matrix band 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in embodiments, the matrix band 10 istightened by the handle being turned in a specific direction. The matrixband 10 can be tightened, loosened and re-tightened as required, withouta tensioning device. As is particularly apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, thetear drop shape of the body 14 is important once the matrix band 10 istightened. Because of the one-directional tightening and the tear dropshape, the circumferential matrix system 1 is able to better fit inbetween two adjacent teeth because the tear drop shape is somewhatanatomical.

We claim:
 1. A circumferential matrix system, comprising: a matrix band,a body having a handle, a housing and a base, a spindle within the bodybeing attached to the handle, wherein the matrix band on one end ispermanently affixed to the spindle and the matrix band on another end ispermanently affixed to an inside wall of the housing.
 2. Thecircumferential matrix system of claim 1, wherein the body has a teardrop shape such that a narrow end of the tear drop shape provides ananatomical fit when the circumferential matrix system is in use.
 3. Thecircumferential matrix system of claim 1, wherein the matrix band iscontoured.
 4. The circumferential matrix system of claim 1, wherein thematrix band is coated.
 5. The circumferential matrix system of claim 1,wherein the matrix band is uncoated.
 6. A circumferential matrix system,comprising: a matrix band, a body having a handle and a housing, aspindle within the body being attached to the handle, wherein the matrixband on one end is permanently affixed of the spindle and the matrixband on the end is permanent affixed to an inside wall of the housing.7. The circumferential matrix system of claim 1, wherein the body has atear drop shape such that a narrow end of the tear drop shape providesan anatomical fit when the circumferential matrix system is in use. 8.The circumferential matrix system of claim 1, wherein the housing isclosed around the matrix band using heat stakes.